It’s been our long standing view that Volkswagen entering into the motorcycle realm after it’s 20% stake in Suzuki is purely a work of fiction fabricated by bored journalists. The majority opinion is that Volkswagen acquired an interest in Suzuki (who also makes cars) to gain a better foothold in developing countries where smaller vehicles with smaller displacements are king.

This sentiment hasn’t stopped others from believing that there could be more collaboration between the two marks in making a two-wheeled vehicle, and the latest rumor pegs Volkswagen’s Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Director of Management of Volkswagen AG, as saying explicitly saying just that…of course, no one actually has him on the record with that statement.

Once again heralding from the Italian media, there are several publications stating that Winterkorn has expressed Volkswagen’s direct interest in either developing its own motorcycle, presumably with the help of Suzuki, or getting involved with the Japanese company’s motorcycle division in some form or another.

The kicker to this rumor is the glaring fact that each telling of the story omits any sort of actual quote from Winterkorn, choosing instead to paraphrase him. A fine and subtle detail, but it has significant journalistic and legal ramifications. A rumor is just a rumor, but a made up quote…now that’s libel. Our reply? Habeas corpus.

I’m skeptical. I see this going over about as well as the Phaeton did here in the States.

Tony Carlos

With bike companies going down faster than lobbiests at a Congressional convention, why on earth would VW want to get into that arena? they’d be better off doing something dumb like taking over Porsche………err, wait a minute.

BikePilot

I was thinking a scoot to compete with the Italians on quality. It seems that there might be a market for a 49cc forced induction scooter (with the idea that it’d have performance more like a 125cc, but still fall in the <50cc bracket for registration, licenses etc).

akatsuki

I could see it. VW always has been obsessed with BMW. But, if they did it, I’d expect it to be Audi.

loki

I don’t really see them doing it under the brand’s name. “VW Motorrad” doesn’t really do it. I expect more the creation of a new brand within the group, or the purchase of another brand.

http://www.buell-rc.ch RoToR

I don’t know if VW should made motorcycles or scooters but i know as VW can make original engines ( G60,Vr6 V5, 1.4 TSi , … ). actual emissions and consumption are requiring charged small engines, i like to see a 600 or 800 bicylinders with direct fuel injection and a compressor with a DSG gearbox. i prefer it on a bike and no on a big scooter. I don’t think VW must go with Wankel engines like Norton.